2006 Nissan Xterra problems, complaints & recalls

2006 Nissan Xterra recalls (2)

• Recall 10V517000Oct 28, 2010747,480 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ecm) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ecm relay may allow silicon vapor to form and, over time, the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ecm relay contact due to arcing.

  Risk: This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the ecm relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 6, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

• Recall 10V075000Mar 3, 201080,689 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

  Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter tank when the fuel tank is empty.

  Risk: This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit inside the fuel tank with a new one that has a modified float arm. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before march 22, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP12004Opened Jun 11, 2012Closed Oct 22, 2016

  Transmission Failures

  On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential…

Recent 2006 Nissan Xterra complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Feb 19, 2026SCBrakesSeats & Seat BeltsTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have a lot of ticking and stalling lights are blinking I think it’s may be the transmission and I smell gas inside the vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint #11719075 · source
2. Filed Oct 10, 2024145,000 miTXAirbags

   The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the front passenger's side air bag intermittently. The front passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided a cost for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure…

   NHTSA complaint #11619155 · source
3. Filed Apr 28, 2024LAEngine

   The timing chain has caused my vehicle to die on me in the middle of a busy highway i was almost hit by a few cars. I had to drive my car going only 40 mph all the way becasue that is all it would do. It has a very loud noise and it is unsafe to drive on the road anymore. I have read and nissan should replace these because alot of people have had problems with them yes my car is available for imspection i have regular kept maintenence on it no there were no warning lamps at…

   NHTSA complaint #11585719 · source
4. Filed Nov 1, 2023GAAirbags

   The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms…

   NHTSA complaint #11553070 · source
5. Filed Oct 31, 2023NHAirbags

   The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not…

   NHTSA complaint #11552800 · source
6. Filed May 1, 2023FLCrash3 injuredTowedElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Car just shut off in traffic loosing all power and braking causing me to crash into the back of a stopped car at a red-light. After inspection from a mechanic shop, they informed me that something in the computer had fried causing the car to shut off, and it had also caused the transmission control unit module to go bad making the car not drive able.

   NHTSA complaint #11519825 · source
7. Filed Apr 3, 2023FLEngine

   Engine noise: - Noise coming from time belt support - The timing chain guide wore out fast. - Timing chain guide inner plastic wore out causing chain to rely metal bracket then the metal causing noise and eventually break the the timing chain.

   NHTSA complaint #11515117 · source
8. Filed Aug 30, 2022WIFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Check engine light is on and fuel gauge does not work Can go from full to empty Stays on empty even though I know there is gasoline in tank Has caused us to run out of gas middle of nowhere

   NHTSA complaint #11481923 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology